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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Since you are here today, I believe you must want to learn more about creating an altered book. We will start at the beginning and work our way through until we complete our journey and many of our pages are altered. Hopefully this will jump start your altered book journey and you will continue to make these books or finish yours after the class is over.

I am sharing this post on CED, in hopes that I get a good audience for this class. It's not much fun if you are talking to yourself.

I'd like to begin by saying I'm having trouble with blogger repositioning my photos, as well as indiscriminately changing my font and font size. So, apologies for that, but it is definitely out of my control.

For those of you who have never seen my tutorials before, I am very precise with my photos. I have a lousy camera, and it doesn't take video, but I try to be as thorough as possible. However, I'm sure I will forget something that someone is curious about, so please ask in the comment section (below). After all, if you have the question, others probably will, too. And of course, I will add the information to the post. Please remember, these instructions are for anyone who has never picked a book to alter, or those who need a refresher.

Have you picked your theme? If not, you need to decide your subject matter. You might want to make something specific, or you might want to alter a book based on the techniques that we cover. It's totally up to you. You are the master of that choice.

Now that you have a theme in mind, let's begin by picking a book. Although there are NO RULES in ABs, this is one rule that can't be broken. You must use a book with a sewn spine.

Pick an old book that no one wants. Since it’s not garage sale season (at least not in the northern hemisphere where I live), your best bet is to check at your local library or college (university) for old, out of date books that can no longer be used or checked out. You can also get good books at second hand stores for around fifty cents and in bargain bins at your local book stores for around a dollar. However, the best place to find a good candidate is from your own bookshelf. If you’ve got a sewn book that you will never read again, by all means, pull it down, dust off the top (you know it’s true), and use it.

Remember, this book is unloved and unwanted, so you are actually recycling it, giving it new life, keeping it out of the landfill, and turning it into a masterpiece you will cherish forever. When I was in college, all my books were pristine. They looked like they had never been touched, or even opened. It took me awhile to overcome the fear of even adding a pencil mark in one, but altering a book is actually a GOOD thing.

Don’t pick a book that is so old the pages are brittle. It will be hard to work in and you will get discouraged quickly. Don’t pick a musty or moldy book because you will get a headache, sore throat, and various other ailments.

The size of the book is up to you. If you like working with small canvases, a book with smaller sized pages might be best. If you prefer larger canvases, pick a book with larger sized pages. The average sized book will be around 5 X 8 inches (12.7 cm X 20.72 cm) or 6 X 9 inches (15.24 cm X 22.86 cm) or so when closed. As for thickness, that is also up to you. But, we will be making a niche, so you will probably want one that has at least 300 pages.

Consider your theme when picking a book. You might be able to incorporate the book title as part of your theme.

I personally don’t like to work with a book that has lots of photos or pictures in it. I have a tendency to remove pages with pictures. I find pictures and photos distracting and feel like I have to incorporate them in my layout. However, you may feel you want a book with photos. Remember the rule about ABs? Yep, there are no rules (except the one about a sewn spine, of course).

Check to make sure you don’t have a first edition or a rare out of print copy. Here’s a great article on how to identify if a book is a first edition or first printing that will give you lots of advice. Chances are, you won’t have a first edition, but be sure to check if you are new to ABs and the book is from your personal library.

I cannot say this enough! Be sure the pages are sewn, not glued. This is one piece of advice that must NOT be broken. Glued books, including Readers Digest Condensed Books, will fall apart on you about half way through altering them. Don’t make that mistake because you will be very disappointed if you do.

So how, you ask, do you find these sewn books?

Check the spine. If it pulls away from the signatures and has threads showing, it is sewn. See the gap? If you don't see a gap, you may use pages from the book, but not the book itself. If there is a gap, but you can't see the threads (red in the above photo), use pages from the book, but not the book itself.

Hopefully you can see bits of the thread that separates one signature from another. At the top, you see the first page of one signature. At the bottom is the last page of another signature. As an aside, I really CAN spell. I just didn't notice the spelling mistake until I clicked on a large image. Was I surprised when I saw "fuirst." I've always said I'm a good speller, just not a good typist! Oh well, I'm sure Photoshop has spell check, but I don't know where it is.

Hopefully, you can see the thread in the center of a single signature. See how the thread runs through the entire length of the page. As an aside, you should find and mark the center of those signatures for when we remove pages from our books (click to see the entire message).

This is a single signature in this book. And in case I failed to make it clear, a signature is a set of pages bound into the book. Signatures usually have an equal number of pages.

I prefer text books, because they are well used, and withstand even the most obvious abuse. However, if you don’t have a textbook available, here are a few things you need to do. First, open the book in the middle

and bend the book backward until the covers touch each other. Did you hear a crack or pop?

Note the spine and signatures are both intact.

Do the same at about 1/4 way through the book

and then 3/4 way through the book. Don’t be gentle with it. If the book is going to withstand altering, it needs to be sturdy and well made. I can't say this enough: you don’t want your book to fall apart.

Now check your spine and signatures. If the book holds up well, it is ready to prep.

Alternately, you can make your own book. However, that is a lot of trouble (actually time and effort) for a first AB. So, if you are an experienced ABer and want to make your book, feel free to do so. If this is your first AB, I strongly suggest a pre-made book.

Here are a few things to remember. Your altered book will never lay flat or close completely after you start altering it. Don’t even ask why it won’t. If it does, you are doing something wrong.

If you come out of the scrapbook community, you MUSTrethink ABs. Acid free is NOT a concept in ABs, nor a concern. Don’t even ask. That bird claw or seed pod you’ve been saving since you discovered it, isn’t acid free, so why should your book be? You don’t need acid free glue, embellishments, paper, or printer ink. Having said that, most books printed after around 1980 have a low acid content. That means they will last longer than that brittle-pages book from the 1930s. Of course, if that is the only glue, paper, or printer ink you have, please don't go out and buy anything else!

REVIEW:1. Pick a book that will hold up under altering and abuse.2. Pick a book that fits your size preference.3. Pick a theme, then find a book that compliments the theme.4. Pick a book that appeals to you in some way and allow it to dictate your art.

5. Acid free is not a concern in ABs.6. Remember there are no rules, except the spine of your AB must be sewn.

In two weeks, we will discuss supplies, as well as prep our books. Each lesson after that will have a list of all the supplies you will need for the next upcoming lesson. That gives you two weeks to get your supplies ready, so you can play along.

Supplies you will need for Lesson 2:A book that you have made sure will hold upGlue stickSelf healing matCutting tool, such as the Fiskars or an X-acto knifePen or pencilRulerI hope you don't think we are getting off to a slow start since lessons will only be every other week. Some of you may have already picked your book, so this may seem like a wasted week to you. But be aware that the pace will pick up soon, and a good foundation is important. And since I want everyone to be on the same page, next Monday I will provide the syllabus. So be sure to tell everyone you know who might want to join this class. It's not too late to start.

Totally optional: Feel free to leave a comment and tell us what country you live in. Please be aware, this is totally optional, since I ask for nothing in return for your participation and/or visit.

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thoughtful remarks:

I thought I had my book all planned but now I need to go and do all the checking it out bit...and bending the spine bit... (which will be easier with the book than my back) what do you think the odds are that is any good? LOL

ok, Elizabeth, i've checked my book and it's perfect except for the title (it has nothing to do with my theme) but never mind about that. thanks so much for the detailed instructions! one student from the Philippines here!hugs, peggy aplSEEDS

This is so thorough and for me an eye-opener!! I have thought I "knew how" to alter books and even have tried to using children's board books and such, but I see NOW that your teaching is far more in-depth and spot on!!! Thank you so much for taking the time and including all the photos and explanations. I honestly had NOT A CLUE that altering a book could BE this deep an experience. I am REALLY looking forward to sorting through the few books I have here... [99.9% of my library was left BEhind when I moved back to the East Coast in 2009] I may have one I got at the library but I doubt it's more than 300 pages. Fun to imagine the scouting about to come!! Thank you so very much!!! Oh, I am in Delray Beach, Florida, and I of course found YOU via CED. ;~D

Looking forward to doing an altered book. Will go through ones that I was going to donate and see if there's one in the bag that meets the criteria that you noted. You asked where people are from...I'm from Minnesota.

Morning from central Canada. I have an easy fun theme. I found the perfect kid's book. It is sewn but somehow looks different as I can't get the spine to make a good gap. But I did start a 'proper' AB and if this falls apart I shall carry on with it.

Great post Elizabeth...I will remember that photo of bending the book all the way back on itself to check the spine! great idea... I have a couple of altered books that were NOT SEWN and you are so right that it's an absolute necessity! had to go back through my book and glue in strips of fabric to 'patch up' the places where the pages were pulling away from the glued binding. so much effort goes into the art that it's not an option to just scrap it! I will be following along to see how you organize this, and hoping your participants will be posting their work...

Hello Elizabeth, I'm joining in from Wiltshire, England, and I'm excited! I had a book, but then hit on your idea of finding one with a title that fits too, and so I I will take some time to look out another. Even your intro lesson is in depth and decisive...I kinda feel I'm going to get this done! Hurrah. Thank you.

This is intriguing, friend.. And a little spooky because just today I was thinking about the books i've bought In the recent past for altering and have never proceeded.... Hmmmm... I'll be checking in... *smile*

Count me in all the way from Sydney, Australia. I have no theme and I am still looking for the right book with signatures/sewn spine and not glue. Never knew the difference. I am keen to do something outside of the acid free scrapbooking world and can't wait for the next class. I have always wanted to do an altered book and had no idea where to start. Thanks for sharing I am so excited.

Hi Elizabeth, so exited about your class as I already had a book ready to go for my fist ever altered book - will have to check it is a sewn spine though and if not it's off to the charity shop for me (again).So generous of you to do this and share your knowledge.Thank you from Ann BLancashire, Englandxx

Hi! I think I need to go check out my books right now :) Thanks for the info...I believe I could stick to this and come out with something creative thanks to your great instructions.xoxo SiouxI'm in Devon, England by the way.

Hi hunfabulous tutorial have just reread it, i may even hunt a book out!!! ya no me i dont do altering, i see a ruler is mentioned i dont to straight either!!! lol, ya no where i be, chilly willy uk, hugs, sue,xx

I am hoping to join in from when you start, I just need to find a book (most of my books are soft cover rubbishy novels!!!) so I have made a list of the salient points from this post today for checking any possibles .... I am in Surrey, England BTW.

Hello from California......USA I am soooo glad I found your blog, can't wait to give this a try, I just never knew where to start. Guess I'll make a tripto the 2nd hand store and see if I can find just the right book. :)

I too am from Julia's Stamping Ground...Well South Africa Really...Cape Town to be exact! Always wanted to do this, thanks for the real good explanation, I will go find a book that fits the above instructions!

Having just made a journal book from a book for a fellow blogger I will be joining to bolt the gate after the horse has bolted so to speak. I made mine using some very unconventional methods, involving the airing cupboard snd an iron to name just a couple. Hugs Mrs A.

Thank you for this class! I've been waffling on the edge about altering books for a couple of years. Like you, I was taught never to put so much as a pencil mark or dog ear a page, so this is going to be a little difficult for me lol. But I've started drawing, painting and punching the edges of photographs (not the really old ones, digital copies of those!), so there is hope :D.

Not sure I am ready for this but yor instructions so far are lovely and precise so perhaps I'll give it a whirl. Just wondering what you mean by a "theme" for the book, could you give me some examples. Best go search for a book. Thanks BJ in Surrey UK.

Oh bother, just bought a book, but was fooled into thinking it was sewn! I looked at the spines of the hardbacked books in the charity shop and looked out for the stripy threads at the top/bottom of the spine but only to get it home to find, on closer inspection, that the threads are FALSE ones stuck on to give the illusion of a sewn spine. Fallen at the first hurdle. Oh dear.

Thanks for your reply Elizabeth. After my error in buying a book to use and YES indeed it has a fake sewn spine, I scoured my own shelves and am pondering using one of my degree course books. Not looked at it in years (20+) and I think it was secondhand anyway. Just need some courage to use it for altering. How much of the words are left visable as I'm not sure the psychology content has anything to do with a theme I might choose.Thanks BJ

hi elizabeth, it looks like you have got off to a good start, maybe you should contact the guiness book of records for the record no of people around the world making an AB together. LOoking forward to starting, just have to get a book firstjanet . . . southern England

Ooooo! Please count me in though I am going to be away next week so need to be excused. Though I will use the time away as an excuse to find an old book from Czech if that is ok! Would that be a Czech book then? LOL!!

supurb! I'm really looking forward to the lessons. I bought 3 books at a second hand store. I know a bit too much but one had the perfect spine, another the perfect format and the third one the perfect paper :) Looking forward for monday.

Might just give this a go amongst everything else I'm planning at the moment - I've been looking for appropriate books for a while now and think I have one or two that pass the test! Oh, and I also came via Voodoo Vixen - that Annette has been busy spreading the word! I'm Suzie, and I'm in Southend, UK

HI..I am from Texas and have just discovered the "altered" method. I hope I can still join the group. I am very interested and will try t9 catch up. Your tutorial makes me want to learn it all right now! Thank you so much!

Elizabeth i have u and Bluebeard on my google reader so u are old friends lol thanks for doing this, im going to pass it on to my facebook groups , there are many who need this , and may i suggest that u ask those who have questions to type in BOLD it sure will make it easier for u to find them as im sure this will grow into a huge following ....

Hello, I'm hoping to join in - time permitting. I need to find a book (something that I can bare to alter (at the moment it feels like disfiguring a beloved friend, so I might go to the charity shop and choose someone else's old friend to disfigure, lol). I'm from Buckinghamshire, England and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's creations as they develop.

I'd really like to give this a try. I looked through my books but don't have any that would work that I want to alter, so it's off to the Goodwill store to see what I can find tomorrow. I'm in Southern California. :-)

I posted one comment but I don't think it worked so here goes again! I am Terry from the State of Texas in the US. I am a retired scrapbooker and currently enjoying painting, drawing and mixed media. I love your explanation process and am grateful you are willing to share your knowledge with us. I'm looking forward to next week.

hi! letizia here from italy!i live about 90 km from milan, in a very charming small town, nested between hills of grapevines...i am very excited to play with you. i altered a book a long time ago...i need a refresh...thanks for sharing!letizia

With a novel book I bought from the library´s deletion sale. The book is printed in 1949, written by Wladyslaw Reymont, and is translated to Finnish from Polish. There are stamps of the city library, but also older ones of township home for the elderly :) And also "removed" stamps - in fact "poistettu".

I´m so glad and excited you give us this class!Waiting for lesson 2...Tuire

I've found a book now, it's an old hard-cover crime thriller of my late dad's which is about the right size, so it hasn't really got a theme itself - but my theme is going to be time I think (I may just give up on the theme and "play" along learning the techniques as this is the first book I am actually going to alter...) Can't wait to start.

Hi, i`m with Kay, (above) She got me and another net friend involved in this, so, we`re all doing it together!can`t wait to get messy! lol sorted my book, and chomping at the bit, to get going!i live in somerset, England.

I found your link today as I was trolling around. Recently I have been removing pages from old books for artwork. It will be interesting and fun to use a complete book. fortunately I have lots of textbooks that need new lives.

Well guess I will finally take the plunge and try an altered book. You seem to have it all together. I need to find the time and place to look for a book, so will probably be a little behind in the lessons for a bit. I am from Bradenton, Florida, USA.

Hi, just found your tutorial today!! I have been wanting to alter a book for awhile now and your tutorial is just what I needed to push me to start. TY!! I too will be behind for a bit but will catch up! Off to check my stock of books for one with a sewn spine!

Hello! I was directed to your FREE class by Sherry's Simple Blog. Thank you for your generosity of spirit! There are so few free things these days. I have a bookshelf full of old books that I've found at library book sales. I may lag behind and do this at my own pace, but I'm excited to find such good information about how to alter books!

I'm from the northwoods of Minnesota! :Dwww.lisa-richards.blogspot.com

I'm joining late, but I've been seeing these altered books in progress and am just loving them! I wasn't going to do it because I have very little time, but then I thought what the heck, I can try. I'll just be going along at a snail's pace, hope that's ok.

I'm a late joiner too........ I have several "books for altering" so now I need to go check for sewing to see if they're suitable!!! I've had a dabble at using an old book for a journal but not done much else but add paint! I'm in the beautify countryside near Banbury UKwww.candellcreations.blogspot.com

I am definitely a late joiner.....I have a great textbook called "Working in America: A Humanities Reader" and am anxious to start. I am really glad this tutorial is being offered over a long period of time as I am quite busy with family and other kinds of art.

I am going to try to start my own AB even though I know you are already done with the course. I assume the lessons are here and I have always wanted to do this, so I figure I will give it a shot! Thanks for leaving this info up!

Dear Elizabeth, I am from The Netherlands and i have just discovered your lessons. I have been thinking about altering a book, but didn't know where to start. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Do i have to sign in or something like that? Laura.

Hello Elizabeth, I have been one of your followers for a long time now,but I've just now noticed your free classes.I noticed them from your last post.How fun and wonderful for Me.I tried once on My own and did not like the results.I'm starting from the beginning and going to go all the way through.Thank you- Denise

I JUST found your awesome site and these fabulous classes. Suffice it to say that I am totally and completely bihind--That doesn't usually stop me! Thanks so much! I'm from a small town in Washington State, USA. :)

I'm so glad you still have this up! I just came across this and intend to go through your lesson plan. This will be my first altered book, and I'm making an anniversary gift for my husband. Thank you so much for sharing this and taking the time to lay out detailed lessons.

Wow Elizabeth, I wish I had found this before, I took part in a dictionary challenge a couple of years ago - and used an old French/English dictionary but it is a paperback ....and it fell apart a little, so I poured a load of glue into the spine and it has held so far!I tried to start another this year for a new dictionary challenge because I loved doing the first one, and I have a hard backed book - now I need to check the spine! I have sort of started, but with everything going on in my life right now I haven't yet completed one page!How kind of you to publish this, you could probably sell the course!Hugs,Carol

Bleubeard and I welcome you

Art, including the journey, background techniques, new experiments, photos, failures, and successes will be shared on this site. I have removed my e-mail address until such time as I can get it to work again. Thank you for understanding. You can always leave a note on my blog and I will visit you.

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